news n The city of Rosemount gave business owners an update on projects at a Nov. 30 lunch
ByEmily Zimmer
Staff writer
The city of Rosemount held its Business Appreciation Luncheon Dec. 1 at the Steeple Center. The city invited area business owners for lunch to say thank you and to provide information.
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Rosemount, 55024

Rosemount Minnesota P.O. Box 192 / 312 Oak St. 55024

2013-06-13 18:14:56

n The city of Rosemount gave business owners an update on projects at a Nov. 30 lunch

ByEmily Zimmer

Staff writer

The city of Rosemount held its Business Appreciation Luncheon Dec. 1 at the Steeple Center. The city invited area business owners for lunch to say thank you and to provide information.

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A large crowd attended the luncheon, at which Mayor Bill Droste spoke. Droste gave background on many of the projects going on around town, including developments at UMore Park, the possibility of a YMCA opening in Rosemount, the addition of Proto Labs to the business park and more.

The city and Dakota County Technical College are investigating the possibility of bringing a YMCA to the city. Droste said DCTC needs a gymnasium for its basketball and volleyball teams. And the city would like to bring a swimming facility to town.

Sometime next year, a survey will be sent out to resident to see if there is interest in having a YMCA in town. Droste said while there has only been talk so far, he's hopeful the community will support the idea.

Droste also spoke about a new business coming to Rosemount. Proto Labs will open a manufacturing facility in the former Webb Co. building in the business park. The company bought the 10-year-old building for $3.95 million. Proto Labs is head quartered in Maple Plain.

The company manufactures parts used in medical devices, electronics and appliances among other things. Proto Labs will remodel the building.

Initially the company plans to start with 125 employees. Droste said eventually the company hopes to have as many as 300 employees working at the location. That would make it the third largest employer in the city behind School District 196 and Flint Hills Refinery.

After Droste's remarks, port authority chairman Jeff Weisensel spoke on what the city's economic development commission is doing to improve Rosemount's growth.

Over the last year the port authority has investigated ways it could enhance and better promote economic growth in the city. The members of the commission established seven focus areas. Those focus areas include existing business retention and growth, downtown redevelopment, UMore Park development, commercial amenities, the industrial and business park, communications, marketing and regional cooperation and planning and development process.

Within each of those areas the port authority has identified goals and implementation strategies.

Weisensel said the overall aspiration is to improve and innovate what the port authority does. To facilitate that, he asked each of the attendees to fill out a survey the city's performance in different areas.

Emily Zimmer has worked as a staff writer for the Rosemount Town Pages since 2007. She has a degree in journalism from Minnesota State University, Mankato. Outside of work, Emily enjoys running, reading and gardening.
You can follow Emily's gardening adventures at the Areavoices blog East of Weedin'.